Basalt fibre composite with carbon nanomodified epoxy matrix under hydrothermal ageing

Tatjana Glaskova‐Kuzmina (Corresponding Author), Aldobenedetto Zotti, Anna Borriello, Mauro Zarrelli, Andrey Aniskevich

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This work aimed to investigate the effect of hybrid carbon nanofillers (e.g., carbon nanotubes/carbon nanofibers in the ratio 1:1 by mass) over the electrical and flexural properties for an epoxy matrix and corresponding basalt fibre reinforcing composite (BFRC) subjected to full‐year seasonal water absorption. Hydrothermal ageing was performed by full immersion of the tested materials into distilled water according to the following model conditions (seasons). The mechanical properties were measured in three‐point bending mode before environmental ageing and after each season. Upon environmental ageing, the relative change of flexural strength and elastic modulus of the epoxy and NC was within 10–15%. For nanomodified BFRCs, the slightly higher effect (approx. by 10%) of absorbed moisture on flexural characteristics was found and likely attributed to higher defectiveness (e.g., porosity, the formation of agglomerates etc.). During flexural tests, electrical resistance of the nanocomposites (NC) and BFRC/NC samples was evaluated. The electrical conductivity for UD BFRC/NC, before and after hydrothermal ageing, was by 2 and 3 times higher than for the NC, accordingly, revealing the orientation of electrically conductive nanoparticles and/or their agglomerates during lay‐up manufacturing which was evaluated by the rules of the mixture. Based on all results obtained it can be concluded that the most potentially applicable for damage indication was UD BFRC/NC along fibres since full‐year hydrothermal ageing improved its electrical conductivity by approx. 98% and, consequently, the ability to monitor damages was also enhanced.

Original languageEnglish
Article number532
Number of pages13
JournalPolymers
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • Carbon nanofiller
  • Electrical resistance
  • Epoxy
  • Hydrothermal ageing
  • Mechanical properties
  • Polymer composite
  • Water absorption

Field of Science*

  • 2.4 Chemical engineering
  • 2.5 Materials engineering

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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